Featured Gallery

The San Diego Chargers today announced the launch of the NFL’s first ever military fan club, Bolts for the Brave. Partnering with AT&T and benefiting the Armed Services YMCA, the program continues the team’s long standing tradition of supporting the armed forces of Southern California.

“We always considered ourselves a military team,” said A.G. Spanos, the Chargers’ executive vice president and chief executive officer. “We have a great military presence here in San Diego and we’ve got a lot of fans in the military. This was just a great extension of all the other things that we’ve been doing. We’re lucky to have a partner in AT&T and a charitable partner in the YMCA who can assist all branches of the military, because that was important in picking a charitable partner. ”

The Armed Services YMCA makes military life easier with free and low-cost programs for nearly 500,000 junior enlisted men and women and their families each year at 33 branches and affiliates nationwide.

“Partnering with the San Diego Chargers in their Bolts for the Brave club, the Armed Services YMCA is very appreciative of the Chargers support to our military families in reducing their stress and enhancing their quality of life,” said Retired United States Marine Corps Colonel George Brown, Executive Director of Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton. “I think the Chargers are stepping up to the plate, to use an example from a different sport. I’d like to see other professional teams around the country step in and follow the lead of the Chargers.”

Membership into the Bolts for the Brave fan club comes with a VIP kit costing $49.99. It features unique merchandise and exclusive benefits, including a personalized welcome letter, membership certificate and membership card, camouflage hat, dog tags, Bolts for the Brave military velcro patch, exclusive raffle opportunities, and a 15% discount at the Chargers Team Store located at Qualcomm Stadium, Gate G and online at shop.chargers.com. The kits can also be shipped overseas to members of the military with APO and FPO addresses.

One person who is a big proponent of the newly formed fan club is head coach Norv Turner, who has strong military ties within his family.

“I just think it’s outstanding, “said Turner. “There’s such a military presence in San Diego and the Chargers have been forerunners doing everything we can to support them. Obviously this is a way to help out people making a strong commitment to make us safe.”

You can become a Bolts for the Brave member, or sign-up a friend or family member serving overseas, by registering on www.boltsforthebrave.com. Read